Valentine's Day Ideas for Dinner and a Movie

Wondering how you'll show your significant other just how much you love him or her this Valentine's Day? Why not take notes from movies that serve up romance with a foodie twist?

With the annual day of love just around the corner, we pulled together a list of our favorite food-related scenes in romantic movies and paired each of them with a relevant recipe from our friends at KitchenDaily. Our selections range from a classic canine rendezvous to a deliciously naughty kitchen encounter ... and a few treats in between.

So, if you're planning on staying in with your sweetheart, check out our menu of ideas for perfect Valentine's Day "dinner and a movie" dates.

Tip: A red-and-white checkered tablecloth is a must for this puppy-love tryst to go off without a hitch (purchase one at any local supermarket, home goods or hardware store). For ambience, light a candle, buy some breadsticks and share one plate. (That's one fewer dish to wash.) And of course, don't forget to play 'Bella Notte' in the background -- the version in the movie is by George Givot.

A Slice of the Recipe:
Tint frosting pastel pink and pipe a swirl on top of cupcakes. Thin some corn syrup with water; lightly brush on rose petals. Toss in sugar. Arrange petals on top of frosting swirl.(See All Ingredients & Full Recipe Here)'Annie Hall'Scene: Diane Keaton and Woody Allen playfully tackle the daunting task of cooking a lobster. Their chemistry is undeniable, making this exchange between the two actors one of the film's most memorable scenes. (Watch a clip here.)

Dinner: Lobster

Boil a Lobster:
After making sure you've got a large enough pot and have filled it with enough water to cover the lobster completely, bring water to a boil, and lower the lobster into the water head first.(Full Recipe & How-to Video Here)

De-Shell a Lobster:
You don't even need that many tools -- just a chef's knife and a strong grip. You will need a rolling pin, though.(Full Recipe & How-to Video Here)

OR

Lobster BisqueA Taste of the Ingredients:
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
4 to 8 whole lobsters, cooked or uncooked, with as many other lobster shells or bodies as you can scavenge, plus coral, tomalley and any stray bits of meat you might find(See All Ingredients & Full Recipe Here)

Tip: Approach the meal prep as a team, or else you'll miss the whole point of the date.

'When Harry Met Sally'Scene: Surrounded by the bustling crowd of New York's Katz's Deli (famous for its pastrami sandwiches), a determined Meg Ryan demonstrates her ability to fake an orgasm by, well, faking an orgasm. Impressed by the performance, an eager patron then tells her waiter, "I'll have what she's having," referring to Ryan. (Watch a clip here.)

Dinner: In honor of the famous Katz' Deli, Toasted Pastrami Sandwiches

'Stranger Than Fiction'Scene: Will Ferrell attempts to woo Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays a baker, by bringing her "flours." Literally, a box of packaged flour. The quirky gesture is too clever and endearing for her to ignore. (Watch a clip here.)

Tip: Give your beloved a bouquet (box) of flours.'9 1/2 Weeks'Scene: Quite possibly the most sexualized use of food in film, this notoriously steamy kitchen encounter features Mickey Rourke feeding Kim Basinger everything from fruit to pasta. Also making cameos in this erotic taste-testing session are honey, milk and cough syrup. (Watch a NSFW clip here.)

Tips: Though titillating and fun, this date can get rather messy, so dress appropriately. Oh, and jalapenos are crucial if you plan on spicing up your evening -- try banana peppers if you're not a fan of hot foods.

Chocolate-Espresso Cream PieA Slice of the Recipe:
Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, espresso powder, salt and yolks in a 3-quart heavy saucepan until combined well, then add milk in a stream, whisking. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking, then reduce heat and simmer, whisking, 1 minute (filling will be thick). Remove from heat, then whisk in chocolates, butter, and vanilla. Spoon filling into crust and chill pie.(See Ingredients & Full Recipe Here)

Tip: Write a 'Waitress'-inspired pie recipe by incorporating your own ingredients for love.